The path from the cricket field to the commentary box "is well trod, but never with greater distinction" than by RICHIE BENAUD, known to many as the voice of cricket, who died in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, according to Huw Richards of the N.Y. TIMES. He "was 84." His achievements led GIDEON HAIGH, one of cricket’s most authoritative chroniclers, to call him "perhaps the most influential cricketer and cricket personality since the Second World War." Benaud
"was probably best known as a uniquely authoritative television voice,
his smooth Australian tones explaining the action with dry wit,
perception and economy." That authority "rested on his credibility as a player, during a career in which he became a shrewd and successful captain of Australia." But "unlike many who have followed in his footsteps, he also worked at acquiring the essential skills of journalism." Fame "eased the transition, but he had done a BBC training course and worked as a newspaper reporter, covering a crime beat, while still a player" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/12). In Auckland, Paul Lewis wrote Benaud's passing "marks not only the loss of a great man of cricket but possibly the point of no return for Australia's Channel Nine coverage of the game." He "wore his cricket shirt cavalierly unbuttoned and no hat, a habit he adopted after watching, as a boy, the charismatic war hero and all-rounder" KEITH MILLER -- famed for his response when asked about pressure on the cricket pitch, "Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, cricket is not." Benaud "later regretted going hatless, encouraging the skin cancer which eventually killed him" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 4/12). The AAP reported the family of Benaud "turned down the prime minister's offer of a state funeral." Australian PM TONY ABBOTT said that "the offer was a mark of respect for a man who meant so much to millions of people in Australia and around the world." But the former Test captain "wanted a quiet and private funeral." Benaud's widow DAPHNE phoned Canberra on Saturday "to kindly decline the offer of a state funeral" (AAP, 4/12).
